Grant Program: Building Canada Fund

Project Summary: Canadian Sports Institute of Ontario Facility

The Town of Markham began the process of developing the Canadian Sports Institute in partnership with Canadian Sports Centre Ontario in 2005.

Key facility features would include:

o Aquatic Centre (complete with two 50 metre pools, dive tank and tower and appropriate viewing area capacity)

o Field House (including gymnasiums, fitness centre, indoor track)

o One international arena competition venue capable of conversion to NHL standards (capable of accommodating up to 10,000 seat viewing capacity)

The recent developments with the PAN AM Games Bid have suggested the University of Toronto, Scarborough Campus as an ideal location for a major aquatic centre and field house. While the Town of Markham wants to be a part of the Pan Am Games, our goal is to proceed with the development of the CSI regardless of the outcome of Pan Am Games. We believe there is a need for an elite athletic training facility in Ontario and are committed to partnering with all levels of government in ensuring the facility becomes a reality in this desirable location along Hwy 407 at Kennedy Road.

There are many advantages to this location:

o Central to over 5.6 million people, easily reached via public and private transportation

o Located within a designated urban growth centre

o In close proximity to highways 407, 404, 401, 400

o Adjacent to a GO Transit station that provides service to and from downtown Toronto and surrounding areas via trains and busses

o Serviced by York Region’s new VIVA bus system

o Future plans for a new subway line and rapid transit along the 407 connecting with GO lines, GO bus routes, subway lines, carpool lots and other transit services

Costs:

The project budgets have been broken down in considerable detail with third party verification received on costs. At a high level, total costs for this project are as follows:

Facility Name	Total Upgrade Budget
Competition Venue International Arena	$ 76,300,000
Aquatics Centre	$ 71,600,000
Field House	$ 38,400,000
10% Consulting / Professional Fees	$ 18,863,000
TOTAL COSTS	$204,930,000

Timeline: Preliminary concept drawings have been completed. It is estimated this project could be ready for construction to begin in 2010 with completion by 2013.

Benefits: There are significant social and economic benefits to this project:

Economic Benefits

Marshall Macklin Monaghan was retained to calculate the total economic impact from construction of CSIO and McIntosh Consulting were retained to assess the potential economic benefits from hosting sporting events. Their conclusions were as follows:

• Total economic impact from the construction of the CSIO for the local and provincial economy and government revenues calculated at $279.3 million.

• The hosting of annual regional/national sports event could generate $20-75 million annually

• CSI identified as a major economic generator of Markham centre

• Interest has been expressed from the private sector for additional infrastructure development in the area when CSI is confirmed (e.g. Hotel, convention centre, indoor soccer complex, etc.)

Social Benefits

Sport is a major contributor to community social life and forms an important part of our culture, traditions and identity. Community sport can be an important element of family life by transmitting positive values to children. Grassroots sport participation enhances community quality of life and lends to the development of healthy, productive citizens.

In addition, the vast majority of Canadians believe that participation in sport can have a positive influence on the personal and moral development of youth. Participation in sport and recreation develops self esteem, self discipline and responsibility among our youth; while also helping to establish fitness and a positive identity for persons of all ages. In the report “Canada’s Report Card on Physical Activity for Children & Youth – 2006”, it was reported that interesting correlations exist between children’s participation in sport and their sense of belonging and self-esteem. Children with a low sense of belonging and low self-esteem were half as likely to report participation in sport, regardless of age or gender. Also important to note is the fact that the decline in self-esteem that begins at the onset of adolescence is mitigated by participation in sport. The CSIO will bring a wealth of new facilities and opportunities to Markham and the GTA.

Reducing Healthcare Costs:

The strain on our healthcare system across Canada continues to grow on an annual basis. Research has shown that higher levels of physical activity associated with participation in sport means stronger and fitter Canadians and acts as “preventative medicine” by helping to reduce health care costs. The Conference Board of Canada estimated in 2001 a cost of $5.3 billion of direct and indirect costs due to inactivity. It has been estimated that every $1 invested in sport today can result in a $5 reduction in future health care costs. Increasing sport participation as a strategy for improving health could significantly reduce national healthcare costs